HC Deb 16 August 1860 vol 160 cc1354-5

Order for Third Reading read.

MR. CAVE

said, he wished to call the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to certain anomalies with regard to colonial produce. The rum and brandy of foreign countries came to this country on terms which were relatively equivalent to the duties levied upon colonial rum and British spirits. He found in the French Treaty, under which these different duties seemed to have been assessed, that there was a prohibition against any spirit made from molasses. Now, as there was a very large quantity of spirits made from molasses, and as they had learned from a Return lately presented to the House that the quantity was constantly increasing, it seemed to him that this was a very important question, and particularly when they considered that in the year when the disease was in the French vine, a very large quantity had been sent to France. Under the treaty, that was prohibited for the future, and certain advantages had been given to France without any equivalent being received in return. He found likewise that under the French tariff, Which had recently made its appearance, all Bri- tish sugar was practically prohibited coming to France except in French vessels; and the Mauritius, especially, was deprived of the advantage which, in common with other Colonies on the other side of the Cape of Good Hope, she formerly enjoyed. He believed, however, that there was a treaty under negotiation with a view to remedy any anomalies which might exist.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he did not comprehend the meaning of the hon. Gentleman; but he was under a mistake in saying that there was a treaty under negotiation for the purpose of rectifying anomalies which existed in the Commercial Treaty which had been negotiated with France. There was no such negotiation, nor was any contemplated. The Convention that was now in course of negotiation was not for the purpose of rectifying, but of applying the treaty, and strictly in execution of the covenants contained in that treaty.

MR. SPOONER

asked whether under the treaty there was any prohibition in regard to spirits made from molasses in England being admitted into France?

MR. MILNER GIBSON

replied that he was not aware that there was any prohibition whatever stipulated for in the treaty.

Bill read 3o and passed.